John de Camborne Paynter
c1844 - 1915
Outline his Life:
It appears that John de Camborne Paynter attended Exeter Free Grammar School.
This is based on a message received in April 2008 from Ann Roberts who reported
that she is in possession of "a small red hardback volume entitled ‘Silvershell
or the Life of an Oyster’ which was presented to John de Camborne Paynter
by the Headmaster of Exeter Free Grammar School at Christmas 1856, ‘for
improvement in German’. I acquired it on ebay – it has a very nice
bookplate in it. I presume it belonged to Francis Paynter’s son, whose
age would be about eleven at the time, rather than some other John de Camborne
Paynter." (I'm sure she's right - the name cannot have been very common.)
Most likely John's brothers would have attended the same school.
John moved to Alnwyck sometime after his brother Henry settled there and became
a partner (or associate) of Henry's law practice. He married Margaret Patterson,
and had four sons: Col William Patterson Paynter D.S.O. (1877 - 1937), John
De Cambourne Stackhouse (1876 - 1919), Paul (1879 - 1961) and Francis
Pendarvis Paynter (1882 - 1916).
My father's Reminscences include the following anecdote relating to John de
Camborne and his sons (dating to around 1907):
"The owner of Belvedere was my grandfather's elder brother, John. He was
shorter and sported only a clipped black beard. He seemed to subsist without
a job, spending his time growing exquisite carnations in the greenhouse. He
was at times cursed with gout in one foot, which he rested bandaged on a footstool.
There would be terror in his eyes as I approached lest I should knock it.
Uncle John was a widower with four grown-up sons. One Camborne, a sporting
type, was often home. The Paynters came from Cornwall but Camborne's speech
affected the Geordie. Bill was a horse gunner, having retained his commission
after volunteering for the South African war. He served largely in India with
Q battery R.H.A., and became renowned one year for winning the Khadir Cup, the
major pig-sticking trophy at Meerut. I saw the monstrous silver bauble in Belvedere.
Later, after we had moved to Northwood, he stayed with us while recuperating
from a liver abscess operation at 'Sister Agnes'. Later still, after retirement,
when I must have been either at Woolwich or Chatham, he gave me lunch at the
'In and Out' followed by a trip to Twickenham for the Army and Navy match. The
third and fourth sons I never met, neither Pendarvis, who was killed in WW1,
nor Peter Paul."
Ray Farnsworth offers the following additional comments about John de C: "Forster
was a solicitor in Alnwick BEFORE Henry et al arrived in the town. The firm
was Forster and Paynter initially. Forster died before Henry's brother,John
de Cambourne Paynter arrived. He lived in a house called Belvedere, just 300
yards nearer the town centre and became Partner??? with Henry. Or, I believe
more likely, a senior clerk. He was more prudent with his cash than Henry (fewer
daughters to support and not trying quite so hard to " keep up with the
Jones"). I vaguely remember that Forster also lived in Belvedere (a gorgeous
terraced Georgian set of houses) but I must check that comment. Both Henry and
John de C had longish flowing beards and were both tall".
Photos of William and Paul, from an album in my possession.
William is described as "Later Lt.Col. R.H.A. - Winner of the Kadir Cup
at Meerut for pig-sticking before First World War
In Jan 1910, John de Camborne Paynter became a life member of
the Primrose
League, an organisation founded in 1883 for spreading Conservative principles
in Great Britain. His life-member ship certificate was purchased by John King
in July 2012 who reported that "this diploma is most interesting as it
is the first 'Life Member' issue I have encountered in over 20 years of studying
the Primrose League."
John de Camborne's death: The following extract
from page 56 of "Alnwick
in the Great War" by Craig Armstrong was kindly sent to me by John
de Lucy in Feb 2017:
"Late in the year a well-known Alnwick personality, Mr
John de Camborne Paynter of Belvedere, Alnwick, died. Mr Paynter had been secretary
of Alnmouth Golf Club for twenty-five years and was a popular member of the
community. He left four sons, Captain John de Camborne Stackhouse Paynter, Major
William Pattinson Paynter, Quartermaster Sergeant Reginald Paulet Paynter and
Major Francis Pendever Paynter.
Mr Paynter's estate was valued at over £23,000 the majority of which he
left to his sons. Other family members to benefit from Mr Paynter's generosity
included his brother, sister-in-law and grandson. Mr Paynter also left a furnished
cottage and a £50 annuity to his former servant Jane Bolton Charters while
his gardener Matthew Barnett received £10. Items of interest left by Mr
Paynter included Alnmouth Golf Club Cup and a gold watch from Truro Grammar
School which were left to his eldest son John, while his large collection of
stuffed sea birds was left to Alnmouth Golf Club."
An excerpt from page 66 of the same book can be found on Francis
Pendever Paynter's page.
Page Updated: 8 Feb 2017 - information
added from John de Lucy
Page updated 10 Aug 2016: Dates
added for Francis Pendarvis Paynter,
Link added to his page. Courtesy Tim Clark
Page updated 19 Sep 2012: Removal reference
to a flying ace by the name of John de Camborne Paynter at the request of Richard
Coster who reports that the flying ace was not related to this John de Camborne
Paynter.
Page updated 27 Mar 2012: Post Script added with reference
to the WW1 flying ace named John de Camborne Paynter..
Page updated 4 Jun 2008: Photos of Willam and Paul added..
Updated 1 May 2008: Date of death of William
Rouse Paynter changed from 1866 to 1860. Note added about attendance at Exeter
Free Grammar School.
